News roundup: Xcel completes new transmission, Southern Cross gets FERC approval, running for offshore in NY

Just before the long weekend begins, we have good news on the transmission front, with two projects making headlines, and one man’s effort to bring offshore wind to Long Island.

Texas boasts an incredible wind power resource, one that Xcel Energy will be shipping out to Oklahoma with the completion of its new transmission project. Amarillo Globe-News:

• Energy companies announced two key developments Thursday in the effort to export wind energy but also supplement power supplies here. Xcel Energy has completed a $64 million line from Hansford County in the far north-central Texas Panhandle to Woodward, Okla.
• “This link gives our Texas and New Mexico customers greater access to cheaper sources of electricity and will provide more options for meeting our summer peak demand,” Xcel spokesman Wes Reeves said. “It also opens another channel for exporting wind energy from the region.”
• “Much in the same way the interstate highways opened up new markets and brought more choices to Americans, these lines will provide more options for purchasing power that is often less expensive than power sources closer to home,” said David Hudson, president and CEO of Southwestern Public Service Company, an Xcel company.

And there’s more. Pattern Energy announced that FERC has approved its Southern Cross transmission project, designed to electrify the Southeast with abundant Texas wind. North American Windpower:

• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has granted Pattern Development final approval for the 3 GW Southern Cross transmission project.  
• Pattern says it is developing the Southern Cross project to add a high-voltage direct-current transmission tie between the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the transmission grid deep in the southeastern U.S. by 2019.
• "Southern Cross is an innovative transmission project that will allow Texas to share its abundant low-cost wind energy resources with its neighbor states to the southeast," says Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Development. "We appreciate the assistance we've received from the many parties in Texas who worked with us on securing this order and are excited to now be able to move forward with this unique project which will create jobs and economic development in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.”

One Long Islander wants clean energy to become part of local residents’ everyday vocabulary, so he’s running more than 100 miles to spread the word. 27 East:

• Matt Kearns, of North Babylon, is on a mission to bring renewable energy to Long Island step by step—literally. Mr. Kearns, 37, a longtime Sierra Club volunteer, will run 108 miles from Montauk Point to the Long Beach Boardwalk on June 14 in the name of offshore wind, traveling through communities hard hit by Superstorm Sandy. The run, which he plans to complete in one day, is meant to bring attention to the need to invest in offshore wind farms, none of which exist in the United States as of now.
• “Long Island has an incredible opportunity to be a leader by building one of the nation’s first offshore wind farms,” said Lisa Dix, a senior representative for the Sierra Club. “Matt is running through Sandy-affected areas to raise awareness that our geography can threaten our electric, but it also provides us with one of the best solutions.”
• “We’re hoping this gets the governor’s attention,” said Mr. Kearns during an interview at the Montauk Lighthouse. “I think Long Islanders are ready for offshore wind.”

Sources:

Kevin Welch, “Xcel completes $64M interstate power line.” Amarillo Globe-News. 22 May 2014.

Staff, “FERC Signs Off On 3 GW Southern Cross Transmission Project.” North American Windpower. 22 May 2014.

Erica Thompson, “Offshore Wind Fuels 100-Mile Run Across Long Island To Montauk Point.” 27 East. 20 May 2014.